38/26

Unspecified character: Where do you pray?

Line of Events

After being released from prison after 25 years, New York Mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sylvester Stallone’s first starring role in a television series. Dwight “The General” Manfredi: I don’t really go to church.

Featured on CBS News Sunday Morning: Episode #457 (2022) I thought this was going to be a funny show

The opening credits sequence shows various photographic and painted Oklahoma views and landmarks superimposed on the New York City landscape: The statue of Sioux Chief “Touch the Clouds” wearing a war hat and bone necklace (breastplate) superimposed on the top of the Brooklyn Bridge; the Golden Drill Statue superimposed on the Statue of Liberty; the Western Gateway Arch of Route 66 superimposed on a major “Avenue” in Manhattan. In New York City, in the borough of Manhattan, there are several numbered “Avenues” that are intersected by smaller numbered streets. We’re used to thinking that anything with Stallone these days would be a comedy, and Tulsa King does have a lot of humor.

The characters are genuinely likeable throughout

But Taylor Sheridan isn’t setting out to make a simple parody of mob history and use Stallone as a joke and punchline. The show has promising depth, despite its lightweight premise of a former gangster with a lot of money forced to start over in a new city after a long prison sentence. There’s some comedy as a New York gangster finds himself in Tulsa trying to establish his turf using his “old-fashioned” ways.

Stallone gives a great performance

While rooting for the “bad” guy as the protagonist isn’t uncommon, its directness and old-fashioned values ​​of common sense appeal to those of us looking for something refreshing amidst today’s social silliness. The irony in this message is that it takes a thug who bows to no one to break through and expose the shallow hypocrisy of society. It’s the same formula that made Yellowstone such a success, and Sheridan knows that’s what many of us crave.

Overall, a very entertaining series that I’m looking forward to, and a great addition to the Paramount+ portfolio

Before he became a caricature of his later roles that led to the demise of the Rocky and Rambo franchises, his acting and screen presence created those iconic roles. It’s nice to see him back on screen in a role that seems perfect for him, and use some of that cheeky personality to add depth to his character and the show rather than undermine it. Check out our recap of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2, Squid Game Season 2, and the other most anticipated new and returning series coming to TV and streaming.